DE MONTFORT UNIVERSITY – YEAR 7Thirty Year 7 students spent the morning at De Montfort University Campus on Thursday, 7th May. It was an opportunity to develop their problem solving skills through fun activities. This included exploring the campus and the variety of facilities available.

﻿﻿﻿To develop their teamwork skills they took part in a ‘Build a Tower’ activity. Saint Martin’s students were hopeful that they had built the winning tower.

Current undergraduates support the students to enable them to find out more about university life. The focus of the trip is to raise awareness and aspirations for young people.﻿﻿﻿

DE MONTFORT UNIVERSITY – YEAR 8 On Thursday, 21st May thirty Year 8 students spent a day at De Montfort University with university staff and undergraduate students. The interactive event focussed on giving students a practical learning experience of some of the key life skills that are required by university students (communication, team work, time management, budgeting and presentation skills). They were required to decide upon essential and luxury items for university and required to identify value or brand crisps and biscuits.

During the afternoon they took part in an activity to develop the confidence to introduce themselves to others and get to know somebody new and it was explained that at university you meet new people and make lots of new friends. Once again, student ambassadors were on hand to assist, answer any questions and provide relevant information.

Wabtec manufactures a range of products for locomotives, freight cars and passage transit vehicles. The visit was an insight to engineering in the work place and the students experienced the vast variety of jobs that involve the sector whilst being able to see specialised machinery being used.

Silver Crest Award

All members of the team will achieve the Silver Crest Award which requires at least 30 hours of project work.They are also expected to consider the broader impact of their project, demonstrate an innovative approach, and write a project report. It is a respected award and CREST Silver can count towards a Duke of Edinburgh Skills section. During the workthey are encouraged to lead it and work with their teacher; our Go4SET team was supported by Mr Del Busso, and their mentor (Sam Hunt from VTG Rail, - a University of Leicester engineering student). They were both a sounding board for the team’s ideas plus offered their advice and experience. During the three months of the Go4SET project, students acquired a number of skills and qualities including team work and communication. Everyone contributed to the presentation on the day; all taking their turn to explain about their role in the project and this was noted by the judges who offered exceptional and positive feedback.

Some of our students met Nicky Morgan last week, secretary of State for Education at the Go4set day at the Ricoh Arena. Go4set is a Science, Technology, Engineering & Mathematics (STEM) Project for 12-14 year olds. Thank you to the PE department for organising the sport’s day on Friday – it rained but we persisted! Well done to all the competitors for their sporting efforts and prowess! On Monday we have a number of pupils attending a Local Democracy Event, Hinckley Hub with Mrs Lowry. On Tuesday we have Year 8 Students Shell Engineering Day, a science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) led by EDT First edition programme www.etrust.org.uk/first-edition/about-first-edition On Wednesday we will be blessed by lots of pupils from local school for our Primary Schools’ Mini Olympics day. On Thursday and Friday we have year 6 pupils who will joining us in September for our Year 6 induction days. There is also a Year 6 Parents’ Induction Evening on Thursday from 6.30-7.30.